A History of New-York from the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty, by Dietrich | Page 4

the office of this paper, will be
thankfully received.
P.S.--Printers of newspapers will be aiding the cause of humanity in
giving an insertion to the above.
* * * * *
From the same, November 6, 1809.

To the Editor of the "Evening Post."
SIR,--Having read, in your paper of the 26th of October last, a
paragraph respecting an old gentleman by the name of Knickerbocker,
who was missing from his lodgings; if it would be any relief to his
friends, or furnish them with any clue to discover where he is, you may
inform them that a person answering the description given was seen by
the passengers of the Albany stage, early in the morning, about four or
five weeks since, resting himself by the side of the road, a little above
King's Bridge. He had in his hand a small bundle tied in a red bandana
handkerchief: he appeared to be traveling northward, and was very
much fatigued and exhausted.
A TRAVELER.
* * * * *
From the same, November 16, 1809.
To the Editor of the "Evening Post."
SIR,--You have been good enough to publish in your paper a paragraph
about Mr. Diedrich Knickerbocker, who was missing so strangely some
time since. Nothing satisfactory has been heard of the old gentleman
since; but a very curious kind of a written book has been found in his
room, in his own handwriting. Now, I wish you to notice him, if he is
still alive, that if he does not return and pay off his bill for boarding and
lodging, I shall have to dispose of his book to satisfy me for the same.
I am, Sir, your humble servant,
SETH HANDASIDE,
Landlord of the Independent Columbian Hotel,
Mulberry Street.
* * * * *

From the same, November 28, 1809.
LITERARY NOTICE.
INSKEEP and BRADFORD have in the press, and will shortly publish,
A History of New York,
In two volumes, duodecimo. Price three dollars.
Containing an account of its discovery and settlement, with its internal
policies, manners, customs, wars, &c. &c., under the Dutch
government, furnishing many curious and interesting particulars never
before published, and which are gathered from various manuscript and
other authenticated sources, the whole being interspersed with
philosophical speculations and moral precepts.
This work was found in the chamber of Mr. Diedrich Knickerbocker,
the old gentleman whose sudden and mysterious disappearance has
been noticed. It is published in order to discharge certain debts he has
left behind.
* * * * *
From the "American Citizen" December 6, 1809.
Is this day published,
By INSKEEP and BRADFORD, No. 128, Broadway,
A History of New York,
&c. &c.
(Containing same as above.)

ACCOUNT OF THE AUTHOR

It was some time, if I recollect right, in the early part of the fall of 1808,
that a stranger applied for lodgings at the Independent Columbian Hotel
in Mulberry Street, of which I am landlord. He was a small,
brisk-looking old gentleman, dressed in a rusty black coat, a pair of
olive velvet breeches, and a small cocked hat. He had a few gray hairs
plaited and clubbed behind, and his beard seemed to be of some
eight-and-forty hours' growth. The only piece of finery which he bore
about him was a bright pair of square silver shoe-buckles; and all his
baggage was contained in a pair of saddle-bags, which he carried under
his arm. His whole appearance was something out of the common run;
and my wife, who is a very shrewd little body, at once set him down for
some eminent country schoolmaster.
As the Independent Columbian Hotel is a very small house, I was a
little puzzled at first where to put him; but my wife, who seemed taken
with his looks, would needs put him in her best chamber, which is
genteelly set off with the profiles of the whole family, done in black, by
those two great painters, Jarvis and Wood: and commands a very
pleasant view of the new grounds on the Collect, together with the rear
of the Poor House and Bridewell, and the full front of the Hospital; so
that it is the cheerfulest room in the whole house.
During the whole time that he stayed with us, we found him a very
worthy, good sort of an old gentleman, though a little queer in his ways.
He would keep in his room for days together, and if any of the children
cried, or made a noise about his door, he would bounce out in a great
passion, with his hands full of papers, and say something about
"deranging his ideas;" which made my wife believe sometimes that he
was not altogether compos. Indeed, there was more than one reason to
make her think so, for his room was always covered